Claude Marin

(30 March 1931 - 31 August 2001, France)

Comic from Kleine Zondagsvriend

Claude Marin started his comics career at a very young age, when his talent was noticed by Marijac. Marin was invited to work for Marijac's magazine Le Coq Hardi. His first steps in the field were illustrating the 'Rouletabosse Reporter' comic, on scenarios by its creator Marijac, in 1946. Marin remained active for Le Coq Hardi until 1955, and among his most notable contributions were the series 'Le Père Noël' and 'Les Trois Mousquetaires du Far West'.

Starting in 1949, Marin also contributed many stories and cover illustrations to Flemish comics magazine Kleine Zondagsvriend, using both comic and realistic graphic styles. He was also present in Ketelbinkiekrant in Holland with 'Bobichon tegen Al Coquin'. In 1955-56, he drew 'Crik' and 'Rigobert et Cie' in Jocko et Poustiquet.

Afterwards, Marin left the comics field for a while to start a career in the advertising field, doing among others a series of mini-books for Fromage Junior. Between 1966 and 1975, he worked for the children's clothing shop Bambino, for which he set up Bambino Magazine. However, after a meeting with Michel Greg, Marin returned to comics in 1975 with a revival of 'Père Noël', now renamed to 'Croûton'. Along with Greg, Marin started the 'Frère Boudin' series, about a friendly monk, in Achille Talon Magazine in 1976.

Supergoof (Le Journal de Mickey, #1546, 1982)

It was in 1979 when Claude Marin realized his childhood dream: drawing Disney comics. In that year, Marin started working for Le Journal de Mickey, for which he illustrated many stories with 'Mickey Mouse'.

In 1986 he was one of the creators of 'Disney Babies' ('Les Bébés Disney'), a series about the childhood of many popular Disney characters. Throughout his Disney years, Claude Marin established himself as one of France's most prominent and respected Disney artists.